主持国家自然科学基金青年基金、辽宁省自然科学基金、中国科学院B类先导子任务、公安部开放课题等多项项目。

主要从事金属材料的强韧化机理、服役行为和微观组织结构分析，针对特定服役环境中的腐蚀损伤、应力腐蚀和腐蚀疲劳行为，获得相应材料的腐蚀损伤模式，并发展相应的腐蚀控制技术，提高材料的使用寿命。

1. Cai Y, Song Y W*, Dong K H, Liu X Z, Han E H, Threshold potential for hydrogen-induced damage of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy under deep-sea environment: A mechanistic insight, Acta Materialia, 304 (2026) 121792.
2. Cai Y, Yan H, Zhu M Y, Zhang K, Yi X N, Chen R S. High-temperature oxidation behavior and corrosion behavior of high strength Mg-xGd alloys with high Gd content [J]. Corrosion Science, 2021, 193109872.
3. Cai Y, Wei J X, Yan H, Chen Y P, Chen R S. Low-cycle fatigue behavior of solutionized and aged WE43 magnesium alloys at room temperature [J]. Journal of Magnesium Alloys, 12(6) (2024) 2284-2297.
4. Cai Y, Wang Z M, Tang Y H, Xu C C, Song Y W, Dong K H, Han E H. Corrosion fatigue behavior of cast iron in simulated combustion product solutions of ammonia and methanol fuels [J], International Journal of Fatigue, 191(2025) 108751.
5. Cai Y, Wang Z M, Song Y W*, Dong K H, Corrosion Behavior of Marine Engine Piston 16CrMo Alloy Steel in the Artificial Methanol Fuel Combustion Product Environment, Materials Today Communications, 49 (2025) 114417.
6. Cai Y, Chen Y P, Yan H, Chen R S. Microstructure of corrosion product film formed on aged WE43 alloy [J]. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (English Edition), 34(5) (2024) 1487-1495.
7. Cai Y, Chen Y P, Yan H, Shan Z W, Mao Y Z, Chen R S. Influence of rolling reduction on the corrosion behavior of WE43 alloy [J]. Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (English Edition), 34(6) (2024) 1829-1842.
8. Xu J N, Song Y W*, Cai Y*, Dong K H, Yang H C, Zhao Q Z, Wang B B, Ni D R, Han E H, Study on the transition of corrosion mechanism of 5383 Al alloy with different cold rolling deformation [J], Electrochimica Acta, 357(2025) 146891.
9. Wang Z M, Cai Y*, Li Q, Song Y W*,Dong K H, Han E H, Research on the corrosion behavior of marine engine cylinder liner materials in simulated environment of ammonia fuel combustion products [J], Corrosion Communications, online.
10. 蔡勇，王子鸣，宋影伟，董凯辉，船用发动机缸套铸铁在氨燃料环境中的腐蚀研究，柴油机，已录用.

担任中国材料及构件腐蚀与防护标准化技术委员会委员，辽宁省化工学会腐蚀防护专业委员会委员，广东省材料研究学会先进耐蚀材料专业委员会委员，Corrosion Communications期刊青年编委，中国腐蚀与防护学报青年编委；首届表面科学技术与应用博士/博士后大赛三等奖；中国科学院金属研究所博士研究生“师昌绪奖学金”；辽宁省金属学会优秀科技论文奖。

材料学┋腐蚀科学与防护

获得金属所“优秀学生”等荣誉称号，比亚迪公司任职等。